Time to buy a new photo/art printer - what do you print? What's my current 'best' printer?

Why knowing what you want to print and how, helps decide what sort of printer you should consider. A look at different types of photo/art printers, considering ink costs and how good they are.

For a full index of all my videos, see:

For a look at printers covering much more about print quality for better printers see:
What's the best photo printer? Why is one better than another. Can you measure printer quality?

Some of my current printer reviews [inc. videos]
Dye based: [cartridge] XP15000 | PRO-200
Dye based [ink tank] ET-2850 | G550 | ET-18100
Pigment ink: PRO-300 | P700 | WF8690
Hybrid ink set [ink tank]t: ET-8550 | ET-8500
17″ width: P900 | P5000 | PRO-1000
24″+ PRO-2000[2100] | P7000 | P7500 | P20000

How much does printing cost?

Free downloadable test images, with usage notes are at:

One-to-one 'fine art' print training in the UK

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[Neil-Aspinall]

Thanks Keith you are a indispensable font of printer/printing knowledge. Earlier this year after much agonizing about chioce I bought a Canon Pro 4100 large format printer. After much advice (confusing at best) it seemed like the professional way to go with it's pigment archival ink Whilst I am very happy with B&W printing I must say the colour side of things leaves a lot to be desired. So I would say that if a person was after a printer with 'popping' colour, pigment is not the way to go. Dye based inks although not 'archival' have better vibrancy. You live and learn.

[mickdean]

As a Mac user this has been very instructive as I'm considering the ET8550, so the colour management information has persuaded me that's the way to go. I do need good quality prints but dye based inks are sufficient and cost effective for me. I sometimes think printer reviews are much like camera reviews insofar as they are far more significant to the user as opposed to the comment feedback from the customer/end user. Most lay people just want good quality and aren't pixel peeping or whatever the printed version of that is. Thanks.

[BlueLineofthesky]

You are an amazing person and we love you. We trust your judgement. Also, please accept my condolences for your loss.

[davidbertrand]

Keith, thank you for the warning about overspray on borderless prints.
I have a MacBook Pro, ET-8550 and a Wi-Fi account. I downloaded driver software from Epson and am printing wireless with great results.

[timtog]

Thank you Keith for your youtube vids, I could watch them for hours, very interesting. I have now bought the Epson et-8550 and put a new head in my Canon ip8750. So if need be, I can use this printer for the thicker media. I dont know if you seen people on youtube pulling out the pizza wheels on there new et 8550 just to try and stop the lines, somthing I would not want to do on a new printer.

[luismurag]

Hello Keith, I got my L8180 (ET-8550) 3 months ago and very pleased with it. It actually exceeded my expectations. Surprised what this little printer can do.

[jameswalker]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

I bought an ET-8550 after watching your videos and reading the written review more than a few times! I'm rather pleased with it and slowly extending my paper choices. I bought it for the running costs and to continue learning. I was very tempted by a P700/900 but knew I'd get fed up of "wasting" money on prints that weren't what I hoped for. I'll upgrade it at some point I'm sure, but it's actually proven to be better than I'd hoped. The only slight concern I have is how long the dye will take to fade, but can always reprint in the future. The P5370 could be something for me in the distant future, the larger cartridges making the cost per print somewhat less scary :-)

Re ink subscriptions - I had one with HP. Still do actually, and I'll probably keep my Envy for borderless 6x4 prints as it's already filthy inside (though no negative consequence to the printed side of any photo/document). I found it really good, and saved me a fortune. It's gone up to £2.99 now for 50 prints per month - as long as you're aware of the con, you can make sure you win. Printing just a full stop on a page counts as 1, as does a full colour borderless a4 print. You can roll forward unused prints within reason to use later too.

[robertleeimages]

Annual subscription is the exact reason i refuse to get lightroom/photoshop, also condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father

[robinjones]

Your thoughts and advice are so simple to understand which I find so refreshing.I bought an Epson et8500 and Im very pleased so bought a cheap Epson for the wifes office on your advice - thanks

[JsR-and]

Keith. Thank you as always.
One thing that attracted me to ink-tank printers was that I could see how much ink was in the tanks before doing a large print, and top-up if necessary. With cartridges on smaller printers, apart from being expensive in themselves, I would be tempted to change one or more before printing, or run out of a colour during a print.
I’d be interested to know how you manage cartridges on your printers.

[ArneHalvorsen]

I am currently on Keith´s printer academy (watching your printer videos) :) Decided to buy printer in 24. The most important for me is bw prints. Thanks for all you hard work! Kind of decided on the Canon Pro 300.

[GFUW]

Another very happy ET8550 user. Had issues with thicker paper but using the rear slot sorted that out. Had a problem recently when the printer stopped half way through A3 prints. Turned out to be the Wi-Fi link and a simple 'old fashioned' USB cable solved the issue. Epson help chat were very helpful in getting to the cause of the problem, by the way. Thanks for sharing Keith, keep up the good work!

[nickross]

Kieth I've noticed when I click on links in your videos it takes me to the 8550 printer. I suspected this was a hint at your top choice for most people.

[deraldart]

very good, very useful. thanks. i know what is happening when i print all the way to the edge, but i had not thought to print smaller and crop.

[Yoriichi_Chan]

Love your videos and your way of explaining things. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 😊

[jeffreygodin]

Keith I appreciate your work and ability to communicate. You mentioned that you weren't a fan of Lightroom. I would be interested in learning more about you recommend for editing photos. TY

[beto]

Hello, this is a great video. I am a Mac Pro and Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator user needing a new printer for my home office. I currently use an old HP OfficeJet x585 Color MFP which has been great. But, it has now started to have many issues after several years of use (back and top feeder problems). I typically print around 25-50 pages per month for standard work documents (B&W) and some flyers (color) for my small business. I prefer a printer with a bottom tray ready to go when needed. I often use the top auto feeder for scanning, copying, and printing. I sometimes use the printer to make cards and invitations for holidays and birthdays on card stock. I also print glossy photos in sizes 4 x 6, 5 x 7, or 8.5 x 11 for my family. I say the photos must look at least decent to good.

[MikeAzul]

Just got the Epson 8550. Have been using an HP Office Pro but the inks run out so quick and while my mother had a relatively inexpensive subscription for ink ($50 a year), I find it criminal that HP makes it so you cannot use your ink if you cancel the subscription. Plus, I wanted to finally print out some professional photos whilst having a ton of ink to work with. Now to do research on what papers to buy. I assume the stock ink should suffice for any photo type needs. Definitely going to avoid border less prints for a while though

[robertklaric]

Hi Keith, nice and helpful video. Bought Epson L8180 (ET-8550)this year with help from your videos. and I can say that for now I'm very satisfied. Colors are beautiful and same as they are on my calibrated monitor, and the best part is that it's dirty cheap to print. I'm using Solution Daily Luster paper, sharp and accurate colors and no special profile, just Epson's Luster working great. My only concern is, how long will prints last? If they are displayed in frame with glass in room, not in direct sunlight...

[chenmunn]

Thanks Keith. Your reviews are great!
I'm in the process of taking my photography into the next stage: home printing.
I'm based in Singapore, and all I can find is the Epson EcoTank L8050 and L18050.
I wonder if they are the same/similar in quality at least to the ET8550/8500 you mentioned?